Becoming a new parent is an exciting time in your life, which requires a lot of planning and forethought. You have to think of all of the different ways to baby-proof your home and make sure everything is in order for the big day of the baby’s arrival. There is one aspect that you should not overlook. If you have a dog, you need to plan on how you are going to introduce him or her to your new bundle of joy. In this article, we will discuss the steps you can take to make sure all goes well.
Introducing Your Dog to a Baby: Where to Begin
The truth of the matter is that you can’t be 100% certain of how your dog will react in a specific situation. The best thing you can do is to train your dog before bringing them into an unfamiliar situation. If you are an expecting mother, taking your dog to a basic obedience class will give you a head start. This will help ensure that your dog has a good relationship with you and understands who is in charge.
Another thing that you should do, but you might be resistant to is to lessen the amount of attention that you are giving your dog for a few weeks before your baby arrives. Some people do the opposite, thinking that will help their dog feel special before the baby comes, but instead, it can confuse the dog. When the baby arrives, you simply won’t have the same amount of time to devote to your canine companion.
The final step to take to prepare your dog for the baby’s arrival is to give your dog a special place of its own. It should be a location that they can relax and feel safe and comfortable in. This could be a crate, bed, or blanket. This spot is the place where you can send them when you need to after the baby arrives.
After Baby Arrives: Steps to Take
- If you can, bring home a blanket with your baby’s scent on it, ahead of time from the hospital and let your dog cuddle with it.
- When it’s time to bring your new child home, greet your dog by yourself so that you don’t have to worry about the dog jumping up onto your baby. Waiting for a few days to introduce them is a wise idea. This allows your dog to get used to the new smells, sounds, and sights.
- When the time seems right, you can introduce them, but make sure your dog is on a leash. Allow your dog to sniff your baby, and give encouragement to your pup when they do so. Try to keep the interaction as calm as possible, so that your dog will behave as you want it to.
- When you are ready to allow interaction off-leash, just make sure your baby is always with an adult and they are sitting in an elevated position.
As the Baby Grows Older
Children grow so quickly within their first year of life! This can be a confusing time for your dog, so you need to always be certain that the two of them are never left alone.Make sure to purchase quality products for your furry friend from reliable brands like Pet Stop.
Particularly, you need to keep your eye on them when your child enters their grabbing phase. They may go straight for your dog’s ears or tail. While some dogs will put up with it, others may bite.
When it seems your dog has had enough, send them to their special place, and reinforce commands when needed.
Following these tips should give you confidence when introducing your dog to a baby. It is a precious time in your life that should always remain that way.
